Resistance push-up apparatus

ABSTRACT

A resistance push-up apparatus having a harness to be worn by a user and having hooks to attach the harness to a set of free weights. The push-up apparatus allowing the user to lift his or her own weight plus the extra free weights connected to the harness during the push-up exercise. The present resistance push-up apparatus providing a safe method of completing the push-up exercise.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an exercising equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The push-up is a form of exercise that can be practiced almost anywhere.It does not require any special skills; it is a full body workout thatbuilds endurance and muscle growth. Push-ups engage several musclesincluding pectorals or chest muscles, triceps, shoulders, and especiallythe anterior deltoids or the front portion of shoulder muscles. Duringthe push-up exercise, as the body is held in a straight position, eventhe abdominals and core muscles are engaged.

In the traditional push-up exercise, the maximum amount of weight to belifted by a person is his or her own weight. Many athletes desire tostrengthen the muscles involved in the push-up to a greater degree andtherefore, feel the need to lift more weight than their own body weight.Currently, this is achieved by having a “spotter” who places some formof additional resistance on the athlete's back. Some athletes havesomeone else sit on their back while they do the push-up. Doing thepush-up exercise with having a weight loosely set on one's back is notonly uncomfortable, but also dangerous, and it may result in seriousbodily injuries. Furthermore, it may simply fall off the person's back,rendering any additional resistance useless.

The present resistance push-up apparatus is aimed at allowing a user toperform the push-up exercise with additional resistance or weight withhigher safety and efficiency. To achieve this, a harness is worn by theuser and weights are attached to the harness.

The prior art provides a variety of harnesses for different exercises.For example, the U.S. patent application No. 2005/0101461 A1 by Johnsondiscloses a push-up harness having resistance latex tube features. Inthis device, a user wears a harness which is connected to a hand grip tobe set on the ground. The hand grips are connected to the harness with aset of latex tubes. The latex tubes provide resistance during push-up.However, the resistance of the latex tube changes with its stretchedlength, which continuously changes during the exercise. A push-upexercise device that uses latex tubes cannot provide the user with aconsistent measurable, static resistance.

Currently, there is a need for a simpler and more customizable push-upapparatus, which is safe and can be used by all athletes without anyhuman assistance. The present invention overcomes the problemsassociated with the previous push-up devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention introduces a novel push-up exercising apparatuscomprising of a harness that can be worn by a user during the resistancepush-up exercise. The push-up harness has means to have any desirableweight with the help of a chain or a rope or any other types ofconnectors. The first objective of the present invention is to provide aresistance push-up apparatus with extra weights in addition to person'sown weight. The second objective of the present invention is to providea resistance push-up apparatus that can be safely used by a user withoutany need for a spotter. The third objective is to provide a push-upharness that allows a user to safely perform the push-up exercise withextra weights or resistance, eliminating possibility of injuries duringthe exercise. The fourth objective is to provide a push-up harness whichcan lift any desirable weight that may be easily changed and measured.The fifth objective is to provide a resistance push-up with a consistentweight or resistance during the exercise.

The aforementioned objectives of the present invention are attained by apush-up harness having a set of weights and several accessories. Otherobjectives, advantages and novel features of the present invention willbecome readily apparent from the following drawings and detaileddescription of preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments herein will hereinafter be described in conjunction with theappended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope ofthe claims, wherein like designations denote like elements, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a resistance push-up harness for handling extra weight;

FIG. 2 shows a user wearing a resistance push-up harness: (a) thefrontal view, and (b) the rear view;

FIG. 3 shows added weight components comprising (a) a weight holder, (b)a weight added to the weight holder, (c) a protective pad added and (d)a chain and a hook;

FIG. 4 shows a user doing the push-up exercise with extra weights butwithout any equipment;

FIG. 5 shows a user doing the push-up exercise with extra weights whilewearing a resistance push-up harness; and

FIG. 6 shows a user doing the push-up exercise while wearing aresistance push-up harness with long chain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, a push-up harness 10, having a cheststrap 11 having a first and a second end, a pair of crossing shoulderstraps 12, 13 attached from one end to the front portion of the cheststrap and from the other end to the back portion of the chest strap. Theshoulder straps crossing at the back portion are attached to the cheststrap at a predetermined spacing. Connecting means, such as snap hooks21 and 22 to secure the harness on one's body. A chain 20, attached fromone end to the harness, and from the other end to a set of free weights40. The resistance push-up harness 10 is sized to fit around the chestor thorax region 51 of a user 100, typically around 22 inches. Theharness having adjusting means to fit users with different body sizes.The push-up harness is made of any resilient material, like nylon,webbing or rope or any other fabric materials and can have differentdimensions for flexibility. Also the chain can be replaced with ropes orcables or other resilient material.

In one embodiment of the present harness, a snap hook is used forconnecting the two ends of the chest strap. A snap hook has a ring withan opening which is closed by a spring loaded closing element that isconnected to one end of the chest strap. Another hook or ring isattached to the other end of the chest strap, which snaps into the firsthook. Any other type of hook or connecting means can be used as long asthe connector is strong enough to handle a predetermined amount of freeweights.

The shoulder strap may be stitched to the chest strap or directlyattached to the two hooks at the ends of the chest strap. To connect theharness material to the hooks and rings, the ends of the straps can bepassed through the hooks and rings, overlapped and stitched together.

The resistance push-up harness 10 further comprised of protective pads14, which are attached to the chest strap 11 to reduce the pressure ofthe free weights 40.

Protective pads 15 and 16 are also attached to the shoulder straps atthe back portion of the harness to reduce the pressure of the addedweights 40 on the user's shoulders 52. Protective pads being eitherpermanently stitched or removably attached to the straps.

Referring to FIG. 2, the push-up harness 10 is worn by a user 100. Thehook 21 and ring 22 are used to fasten the push-up harness 10 and secureit on the user's body for doing the push-up exercise with extra weight40. During a push-up exercise, the push-up harness 10 should handle theextra weight 40 and distribute the pressure of the added weight 40 onthe user's shoulders 52 and back. By wearing the push-up harness 10, thepush-up exercise with extra weight may be performed unencumbered.

Referring to FIG. 3, a set of weights 40 can be connected to theresistance push-up harness 10, with the help of a weight holder 30 and achain 20. The weight holder 30 comprises of a flat surface 35, a holderbar 36 and a ring 37. The user 100 can change the set of weights 31based on his/her abilities. The diameter of the holder bar beingcompatible with the opening diameter of the weights. A protective pad 32is provided to protect user's chest in case the user falls on theweights.

The push-up exercise with extra weights can be performed anywhere (e.g.,in a gym or at home) since all it requires is a harness and someweights, as shown in FIG. 5. It also can be performed with just an extraweight 31 in a dangerous manner as shown in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 5,to begin the push up exercise with extra weights, a user 100 lies on thesurface, preferably slightly higher than the ground, in a proneposition; connects the push-up harness 10 to the weight 40 with hook 21and chain 20; then, positions his/her hands palms-down on the ground,approximately shoulder width apart, and performs the push-up exercise.

Any type of stand, like blocks, risers, or small chairs, can be used toprovide extra elevation and increase the distance between user's chestand the ground. In addition, push-up grips 55 can be used with thepresent invention in order to perform the exercise without anyelevation. The grips will provide the proper elevation, so that the usercan lower his/her body further. The grips are handles that are longenough to provide a distance between the user's body and the floor. Theuser 100 curls his/her toes upward so that the balls of his/her feettouch the ground. The user 100 raises his/herself using his/her arms. Atthis point, his/her weight should be supported by his/her hands and theballs of his/her feet. The user 100 lowers his/her torso 51 to thesurface, bending the arms until the extra weight 40 touches the ground.The user 100 pushes his/her own weight plus the extra weight 40 upduring the push-up exercise. The user 100 then lowers his/her torso 51towards the surface until the extra weight 40 touches the ground.Alternatively, the user may not have the weight actually touch thefloor, but stay hanging freely in the air until reversing direction andraising during the concentric portion of the push-up exercise. Thesesteps may be repeated for repetitions of the push-up exercise.

The height of extra weight 40 can be adjusted by adjusting the length ofthe chain 20. This can be done by connecting the hook 21 to differentrings on the chain 20. This will change the degree that the arms bend atthe elbow when lowering the weight/resistance and the body to the pointwhere the weight touches the ground, or before. This will depend on thegoals and desire of the user.

For increasing the versatility and providing different physiologicaladaptations or intensity of the push-up exercise with extra weight 40,the user 100 can use push-up grips 55. Push-up grips 55 may beconstructed by attaching a half-circle of piping to a flat base or byhaving two U-shaped bars with a small crossbar at both ends of each barfor added stability. A push-up grip can help a user to reduce the wristangle so that there is less pressure put on the joints. Athletes whoneed to build strength in a more extreme range of motions, such asswimmers, can add height to their push-up movement by using push-upgrips.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a long chain isconnected to the push-up harness 10. The chain being long enough thatjust touches the ground when the user has fully extended his/her arms asshown in FIG. 6. The long chain provides a variable weight during thepush-up exercise. The user while doing the push-up exercise with push-upharness and chain, experiences a different weight at different heights.More elements of the chain are lifted from the ground, then user has topush harder.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the extra weight can beplaced on different positions on the push-up harness. In order to addweight to different locations on the harness, plurality of rings isplaced on different locations on the chest and shoulder straps to hangextra weights.

The push-up harness may have a variety of designs. For example, thenumber of the straps and pads can be changed to provide more support andprotection for the user's body during an exercise. It may also haveextra buckles placed on the shoulder straps to better adjust the size ofthe harness according to the size of the user's body. Further, it maysimply be made in different sizes to accommodate larger or smallerusers.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: 1- A resistance push-up apparatus comprising: a. awearable harness to be worn by a user; b. a weight system; and c. meansto connect said wearable harness to said weight system. 2- Theresistance push-up apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wearable harnesscomprising: a. a chest strap to wrap around thoracic region of the user,having a front portion and a back portion; b. a fastening means adaptedto secure said chest strap around the user's chest; and c. a pair ofshoulder straps secured to said back portion and said front portions ofsaid harness, said shoulder straps singly crossing in the back of saidharness in a free manner. 3- The resistance push-up apparatus of claim1, wherein said means to connect said wearable harness to said weightsystem being a snap hook. 4- The resistance push-up apparatus of claim1, wherein said weight system comprising: a. a weight holder having aholder bar; b. multiplicity of free weights to be located on the weightholder and secured on said holder bar; and c. a protection cushionshaped to fit on the weight holder to protect said user. 5- Theresistance push-up apparatus of claim 4, wherein said weight holdercomprising: a. a geometrically shaped flat plate; b. a holder bar havinga first end and a second end, rigidly connected to said flat plate fromits first end; and c. a ring connected to the second end of said holderbar. 6- The resistance push-up apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidwearable harness comprising: a. a chest strap having two ends to wraparound the thoracic region of the user; b. a pair of shoulder strapsextending from the front to the back portions of the chest strap to wraparound shoulder area of the user; c. a pair of snap hook means connectedto said two ends of said chest strap; and said crossing bands to hangsaid connector; and d. plurality of pads being attached to said cheststraps and said shoulder straps to distribute pressure on user's chest.7- The resistance push-up apparatus of claim 1, wherein said weightsystem being a long chain for variable weight purposes, said chaincomprising of multiplicity of rings, each said ring having apre-specified weight to provide resistance when doing the push-upexercise using the push-up power harness. 8- The resistance push-upapparatus of claim 1, wherein said connector being selected from thegroup consisting of chains, cables, and cords.